INX-315, a Selective CDK2 Inhibitor, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Senescence in Solid Tumors.
Dietrich C, Trub A, Ahn A, Taylor M, Ambani K, Lu KH, Mahendra C, Blyth C, Coulson R, Ramm S, Watt A, Kumar S, Bisi J, Strum J, Roberts P, Goel S.
Cancer Discovery. 2024 Mar 1;14(3):446-467.
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is thought to play an important role in driving proliferation of certain cancers, including those harboring CCNE1 amplification and breast cancers that have acquired resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i). The precise impact of pharmacologic inhibition of CDK2 is not known due to the lack of selective CDK2 inhibitors. Here we describe INX-315, a novel and potent CDK2 inhibitor with high selectivity over other CDK family members. Using cell-based assays, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and transgenic mouse models, we show that INX-315 (i) promotes retinoblastoma protein hypophosphorylation and therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in CCNE1-amplified tumors, leading to durable control of tumor growth; (ii) overcomes breast cancer resistance to CDK4/6i, restoring cell cycle control while reinstating the chromatin architecture of CDK4/6i-induced TIS; and (iii) delays the onset of CDK4/6i resistance in breast cancer by driving deeper suppression of E2F targets. Our results support the clinical development of selective CDK2 inhibitors.
Significance: INX-315 is a novel, selective inhibitor of CDK2. Our preclinical studies demonstrate activity for INX-315 in both CCNE1-amplified cancers and CDK4/6i-resistant breast cancer. In each case, CDK2 inhibition induces cell cycle arrest and a phenotype resembling cellular senescence. Our data support the development of selective CDK2 inhibitors in clinical trials. See related commentary by Watts and Spencer, p. 386. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 384.
Targeting CDK4 and CDK6 in cancer
Goel S, Bergholz JS, Zhao JJ.
Nature Reviews Cancer 2022 Mar; doi: 10.1038/s41568-022-00456-3 [PMID 35304604]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6 are critical mediators of cellular transition into S phase and are important for the initiation, growth and survival of many cancer types. Pharmacological inhibitors of CDK4/6 have rapidly become a new standard of care for patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. As expected, CDK4/6 inhibitors arrest sensitive tumour cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, the effects of CDK4/6 inhibition are far more wide-reaching. New insights into their mechanisms of action have triggered identification of new therapeutic opportunities, including the development of novel combination regimens, expanded application to a broader range of cancers and use as supportive care to ameliorate the toxic effects of other therapies. Exploring these new opportunities in the clinic is an urgent priority, which in many cases has not been adequately addressed. Here, we provide a framework for conceptualizing the activity of CDK4/6 inhibitors in cancer and explain how this framework might shape the future clinical development of these agents. We also discuss the biological underpinnings of CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance, an increasingly common challenge in clinical oncology.
CDK4/6 inhibition reprograms the breast cancer enhancer landscape by stimulating AP-1 transcriptional activity
Watt AC, Cejas P, DeCristo MJ, Metzger-Filho O, Lam EYN, Qiu X, BrinJones H, Kesten N, Coulson R, Font-Tello A, Lim K, Vadhi R, Daniels VW, Montero J, Taing L, Meyer CA, Gilan O, Bell CC, Korthauer KD, Giambartolomei C, Pasaniuc B, Seo JH, Freedman ML, Ma C, Ellise M, Krop I, Winer E, Letai A, Brown M, Dawson MA, Long HW, Zhao JJ, Goel S.
Nature Cancer 2021; 2:34-48
Abstract
Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) were designed to induce cancer cell cycle arrest. Recent studies have suggested that these agents also exert other effects, influencing cancer cell immunogenicity, apoptotic responses, and differentiation. Using cell-based and mouse models of breast cancer together with clinical specimens, we show that CDK4/6 inhibitors induce remodeling of cancer cell chromatin characterized by widespread enhancer activation, and that this explains many of these effects. The newly activated enhancers include classical super-enhancers that drive luminal differentiation and apoptotic evasion, as well as a set of enhancers overlying endogenous retroviral elements that is enriched for proximity to interferon-driven genes. Mechanistically, CDK4/6 inhibition increases the level of several Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor proteins, which are in turn implicated in the activity of many of the new enhancers. Our findings offer insights into CDK4/6 pathway biology and should inform the future development of CDK4/6 inhibitors.
CDK4/6 inhibition triggers anti-tumour immunity
Goel S*, DeCristo M, Watt AC, BrinJones H, Sceneay J, Li BB, Khan N, Ubellacker JM, Xie S, Metzger-Filho O, Hoog J, Ellis M, Ma C, Ramm S, Krop IE, Winer EP, Roberts TM, Kim HJ, McAllister SS*, Zhao JJ*.
*co-corresponding author
Nature, 2017 Aug; 548(7668): 471-475 [PMID 28813425]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are fundamental drivers of the cell cycle and are required for the initiation and progression of various malignancies. Pharmacological inhibitors of CDK4/6 have shown significant activity against several solid tumours. Their primary mechanism of action is thought to be the inhibition of phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor, inducing G1 cell cycle arrest in tumour cells. Here we use mouse models of breast carcinoma and other solid tumours to show that selective CDK4/6 inhibitors not only induce tumour cell cycle arrest, but also promote anti-tumour immunity. We confirm this phenomenon through transcriptomic analysis of serial biopsies from a clinical trial of CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment for breast cancer. The enhanced anti-tumour immune response has two underpinnings. First, CDK4/6 inhibitors activate tumour cell expression of endogenous retroviral elements, thus increasing intracellular levels of double-stranded RNA. This in turn stimulates production of type III interferons and hence enhances tumour antigen presentation. Second, CDK4/6 inhibitors markedly suppress the proliferation of regulatory T cells. Mechanistically, the effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors both on tumour cells and on regulatory T cells are associated with reduced activity of the E2F target, DNA methyltransferase 1. Ultimately, these events promote cytotoxic T-cell-mediated clearance of tumour cells, which is further enhanced by the addition of immune checkpoint blockade. Our findings indicate that CDK4/6 inhibitors increase tumour immunogenicity and provide a rationale for new combination regimens comprising CDK4/6 inhibitors and immunotherapies as anti-cancer treatment.
Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance in HER2-Positive Breast Cancers with CDK4/6 Inhibitors
Goel S*, Wang Q, Watt AC, Tolaney SM, Dillon DA, Li W, Ramm S, Palmer AC, Yuzugullu H, Varadan V, Tuck D, Harris LN Wong K-K, Liu XS, Sicinski P, Winer EP, Krop IE, Zhao JJ*.
*co-corresponding author
Cancer Cell, 2016 March; 29(3):255-69 [PMID 26977878]
Abstract
Using transgenic mouse models, cell line-based functional studies, and clinical specimens, we show that cyclin D1/CDK4 mediate resistance to targeted therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. This is overcome using CDK4/6 inhibitors. Inhibition of CDK4/6 not only suppresses Rb phosphorylation, but also reduces TSC2 phosphorylation and thus partially attenuates mTORC1 activity. This relieves feedback inhibition of upstream EGFR family kinases, resensitizing tumors to EGFR/HER2 blockade. Consequently, dual inhibition of EGFR/HER2 and CDK4/6 invokes a more potent suppression of TSC2 phosphorylation and hence mTORC1/S6K/S6RP activity. The suppression of both Rb and S6RP enhances G1 arrest and a phenotype resembling cellular senescence. In vivo, CDK4/6 inhibitors sensitize patient-derived xenograft tumors to HER2-targeted therapies and delay tumor recurrence in a transgenic model of HER2-positive breast cancer.